Backup Generator Installation Gold Coast, Logan & Brisbane South

A generator intended to supply power to a home's circuits during an outage needs to be connected through a properly installed changeover switch, which physically isolates the property from the grid supply before the generator can power any circuits. This prevents the two power sources from ever being connected to the same circuit at the same time, which is essential both for the safety of the generator and the equipment connected to it.

Manual changeover requires you to operate a switch; automatic changeover responds to a loss of supply. Confirm compatibility with the generator and the required installation arrangements before choosing equipment.

Connecting a generator directly into a power point or switchboard without a proper changeover switch, sometimes called backfeeding, is extremely dangerous and illegal. Backfeeding sends power from the generator back out through the property's wiring and potentially onto the street power network, which can electrocute utility workers who reasonably believe the network is de-energised during an outage, even though it's many streets away from the generator itself.

Never use a lead to feed generator power into an ordinary wall outlet. A properly designed changeover arrangement must prevent connection to the grid while generator supply is in use. Follow the installed instructions rather than improvising a connection.

Portable and standby generators must always be operated outdoors, in a well-ventilated location, and never inside a garage, shed, basement, or any enclosed or semi-enclosed space, even with doors or windows open. Generators produce carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that can build up to lethal concentrations extremely quickly in any enclosed space, including attached garages even with the garage door open.

Choose a stable outdoor location away from windows, doors and vents so exhaust cannot enter buildings. Follow manufacturer weather-protection instructions without enclosing the generator, and consider noise and neighbouring properties.

Most households don't run their entire home from a backup generator, since this requires a much larger unit than is practical or necessary. Instead, planning typically involves identifying essential circuits, such as refrigeration, some lighting, and perhaps a sump pump or medical equipment, and wiring the changeover switch and generator to supply just those circuits rather than the whole property.

This kind of planning should happen before the generator is purchased, since the generator's capacity needs to match the combined load of the circuits it will be asked to supply, including the higher startup current some appliances draw when they first switch on. A licensed electrician can help assess realistic load requirements and design a changeover and circuit arrangement that matches both the generator and the household's actual backup power needs.

Generator connections require assessment against AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 3010, including network isolation, earthing and circuit protection. Follow the installed changeover instructions.